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LOST CUSTOMER LESSONS |
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Lost Customer Lessons
As many of us know selling artwork online is filled with pitfalls. ArtBeacon provides many tools and features to make selling your artwork possible, but consistently a few features go overlooked. We've tried to make the site light and easy to use by not imposing too many requirements. The downside to this is that a few lessons are being learned the hard way.
This will be a "living" article, meaning it will continue to be amended as more lessons are learned by all of us here at ArtBeacon. The nature of our site and community is to share our experiences to maximize the tools at our disposal through our service. We welcome you to relay your input to these types of articles and forum discussions.
Lessons Learned Impacting Successful Sales:
1. Provide "Product Dimensions" and "Weight" Values - Back To Top
Add product "Dimensions" and "Weight" values to each of your art products if relevant. A few potential buyers have relayed feedback to us that not knowing the size dimensions of products kept them from placing an order. You should provide artwork dimensions and/or weight values whenever possible.
For existing products, you can update this information by accessing the "My Products" page. Click on the "Manage" link for each product in question and designate artwork dimensions in the "Price Management" section.
NOTE: It is possible to add multiple sizes/prices to one product via the "Product Pricing Options" section of the "Product Information" page.
2. Proper Use of the "Product Description" Field - Back To Top
When adding products on the "Product Information" page utilize the "Product Description" field to detail what your product is and includes/excludes.
An example of meaningful content for a photograph would be:
"Fine Art Print Presented In A White Matte & Black Frame"
Noting materials (oil on canvas, silver gelatin print, giclee print, etc.), art type, included presentation materials (matte, frame, etc.), special product information, etc. would be relevant and useful in a customer's evaluation of your product.
When people search for artwork, this field displays critical information that will impact how a customer will react to your product. It is also important to note that this information is also fed to search engines. (See "Search Optimization and Your Site" for more details.)
3. Relying Only On Creating Your Site/Store - Back To Top
Please refer to "Maximizing Your Marketing Efforts With Ours". Creating your own Site/Store is only part of the equation in selling artwork. Having a site/store helps expand your sales opportunities. It does not replace other sales opportunities. Informing people about your work in person, through showings, other sales venues, and online marketing such as e-newsletters keep your customers informed, hooked, and looking online for your latest work.
4. Properly Activating Payment Gateways - Back To Top
Refer to "Accepting PayPal and Credit Cards". Properly setting your Payment Gateways by specifying the proper preferences for each activated gateway will ensure that you are able to receive payment in a timely fashion. ArtBeacon has put safeguards in place for many payment gateways so as to avoid the loss of a customer, but timely payment and order fulfillment are best for business. Proper gateway activation can be accomplished by carefully reviewing each activated payment gateways preferences.
NOTE: On the "Billing Method Modules" page the "Preference" link is to the left of the "On"/"Off" links. Upon activating a payment gateway, clicking the "On" link, you will be automatically taken to that gateways preference page. Please fill out the relevant fields. Upon saving your changes your payment gateway will be activated.
5. Portfolio Account Upgrades - The Whole 9-Yards - Back To Top
If you are thinking of or have upgraded from the "Portfolio" service plan to the "Subscription" or "Commission Only" service plan, there are 3 steps to take to alter your site to take complete advantage of the upgrade.
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| Upgrading from the "Portfolio" account reveals new functions and settings in the Members Area. Be sure to complete the following to take full advantage of your account with e-commerce functionality: |
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| Step 1 - |
Select a new look to your site on the "Theme" page. The "Portfolio" themes do not accommodate e-commerce functionality so this is required. Once you save your changes it will take effect immediately. You can change the look and feel to your site with a new theme as often as you like with no impact on your existing products or your customers' shopping experience.
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| Step 2 - |
Update your preferred means of taking payment by specifying the appropriate Payment Gateways.
NOTE: See "Properly Activating Payment Gateways" above.
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| Step 3 - |
Update your products to include product weight, price, and dimensions. Providing this information will ensure that customers are clear on what they are buying and what costs are associated with their purchase.
NOTE: See "Provide "Product Dimensions" and "Weight" Values" above.
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Did You Know? - New Themes Can Be Previewed
One of the best features of ArtBeacon is that you can change the look and feel of your site instantly, with no impact to your existing information, utilizing "Themes".
It is also possible to preview how your site will look with a new "Theme" before switching to it. To do so, visit the "Themes" page, select your "Theme" and click on the "Preview" button. A new window will open with a display of how your site's Index page will appear with your new "Theme".
Note: The displayed preview page is for display purposes only and the links found on the page will not work.
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Forums & Community
We remind you that you can discuss account setup, business practices, recent site developments, and suggestions, with fellow members and the ArtBeacon Development Team in the ArtBeacon Forum. >> Access The Forum |
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